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Carole Kerr of Naperville, Illinois, has always been a reader. So when she first started thinking about converting to Judaism, she read everything she could on the subject. But Carole knew she had to do more than simply read about Judaism.

"My rabbi pointed out that there's a difference between having Judaism in your heart and having it in your hands," she recalls. The first time Carole went to a Hadassah meeting, the meaning of the rabbi's words clicked. Here were women doing things—locally and in Israel. Carole had found her way into a Jewish community that held meaning for her.

Carole began paying annual dues, but she never imagined herself as a major donor. "The dues were $25, and I thought, ‘Well, I won't be a big giver, but I can afford $25.'" As Carole became more involved, she began realizing just how much work Hadassah does around the world, and particularly how game-changing Hadassah's work is in the Middle East.

"I suddenly realized that by being part of Hadassah, I was part of changing the world," Carole says. "It comes down to the Jewish value of tikkun olam. I may be a small part of it, but this is an organization that does tikkun olam on a grand scale."

Inspired, Carole began searching for ways to make a bigger impact. "It had long been a goal of mine to be a major donor for a cause I believed in," she says, "but I had no idea how I'd ever make that happen." Not so long ago, Carole was newly divorced with only $500 in the bank. It was nearly impossible to imagine that she would ever join the ranks of Hadassah's Society of Major Donors.

Ever the reader, Carole picked up an issue of Hadassah's planned giving newsletter, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow and learned about how, through a charitable gift annuity, she could support Hadassah and receive fixed payments for life. Hadassah's annuity program allows someone of Carole's means to make a significant gift to Hadassah.

"For me, a charitable gift annuity was the right decision," Carole reflects. "I don't have a Jewish family of origin; Hadassah has become my Jewish family. It has given me so much. I'm so happy to be able to give back."

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Contact Planned Giving & Estates at (800) 428-8884 or giving@hadassah.org to learn more about how you can give back to your Hadassah family by establishing a charitable gift annuity or another legacy gift.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Hadassah a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to Hadassah, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 40 Wall Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10005
ATTN: Planned Giving & Estates, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Hadassah or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Hadassah as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Hadassah as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Hadassah where you agree to make a gift to Hadassah and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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A comprehensive guide to all of Hadassah's planned giving options


How to make a gift for Hadassah through a charitable gift annuity


Deferred charitable gift annuities


Using retirement assets to make a gift to Hadassah


Using life insurance to make a gift to Hadassah


Favorite ways to make a gift to Hadassah






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